Rudi Skacel has claimed he was subject to sickening racist abuse at Easter Road last month that even involved pensioners and kids.

The former Hearts striker has hit out at Hibs fans who allegedly taunted him with shouts of “refugee” during a game for Raith Rovers on December 24.

Skacel, 37, incensed home fans when he was subbed in the second half of the game, which finished 1-1, and made a ‘5-1’ gesture as he walked off the pitch.

That is a reference to the drubbing he helped inflict on the Leith club in the 2012 Scottish Cup Final, but he says he was left sickened by the behaviour of Hibs fans.

Skacel (R) and Hibernian's Darren McGregor clash

Skacel flashes the "5-1" sign as he is subbed at Easter Road

The Czech star said: “I’m shocked that such a big deal was made about what I did, it’s just a number. No one cares how they treated me for 90 minutes out there. They called me a refugee and other names.

“I had small kids calling me names. It was embarrassing. They were with their parents and they were calling me names and they think it’s fine. The children follow what they hear next to them, what they hear from their parents.”

Asked if the kids had also taunted him with jibes of “refugee” he added: “Of course, even old ladies. Dressed up in ties and suits ... it’s embarrassing for the whole Hibs community.

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“I waved to our supporters, I showed them 5-1 and I showed Hibs fans 5-1 also, that was it. They can’t change history. It’s not my problem they lost 5-1.

“Of course it is painful for them but it is just football, we are still human beings. If you go to rugby, it shows a different example of how people support their club but in soccer stadiums what happens sometimes is embarrassing. The abuse is always bad (at Easter Road).

Skacel spke out ahead of Raith’s Scottish Cup clash with Hearts

“You should write about these things. How would you react if people called you a refugee? But I make a gesture and they react by criticising me and saying I should be banned from football. It is embarrassing for all of the Hibs community.

“I played for Hearts and we beat them on so many occasions and I scored a few goals against them, so I understand all this. But they should be more polite, it should be more about banter.

“We need derbies and big games because it is exciting for supporters and players but there needs to be a line, and I think in every game, they (Hibs fans) are crossing it. We are human beings. It doesn’t bother me too much, but it is a shame for football generally.”

Skacel did not make a complaint to police, although Hibs fans and even players have previous for making the racist “refugee” slur against him.